EARTH OBSERVATION FOR POLAR
MONITORING A Unique View of the Environment,
the Economy, and Safety
Since 2005, the Polar View connsortium has been providing a wide
variety of earth observation products which monitor sea ice cover,
glacier runoff, snow cover, snow melt, icebergs, river ice and
lake ice. Products are delivered in a timely manner to meet the
specific needs of its growing number of diverse end users.
Both the Arctic and Antarctic are
experiencing an explosion of economic activity with increased
world demand for resources (including fisheries and oil) and related
exploration and processing activities. Eco-tourism has also increased
dramatically in the last decade, particularly in the easily accessible
scenic areas such as the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland
Islands.
One of the key priorities in the
Polar Regions has always been the balanced development of the
rich natural resources with that of its fragile ecosystems and
the values and beliefs of the indigenous communities. Polar View
services assist in maintaining this balance by: optimizing transportation
routes, helping to manage hydropower generation, assisting in
resource exploitation and maintaining traditional ways of life.
The harsh and ever-changing nature
of the polar regions presents a challenging environment for sea
transportation and human navigation. Polar View services mitigate
the risk of accidents and loss of life and property in the often
treacherous environment by: providing safe transportation routes,
guiding fishing and hunting expeditions, protecting off-shore
drilling operations and improving flood protection.
The Polar Regions, the largest natural
ecosystems on Earth, are increasingly under stress from a rapidly
changing climate, increasing resource extraction, and growing
transportation use. The crucial role of the Polar Regions in climate
regulation and the vulnerability of their ecosystems and, in the
Arctic, of their unique indigenous cultures, warrant special attention.
Environmental issues constitute a central pillar of concern for
all polar stakeholders. Polar View services address environmental
concerns by: monitoring polar fresh water cycle and helping to
understand and manage animal populations and habitats.
